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The purpose of this study is to learn how plants can play a role in gain/loss of sodium in the urine and in the regulation of blood pressure. Dopamine is a chemical mostly present in the brain and kidneys which assists in regulation of the body's salts (sodium and potassium). Fava beans contain a lot of the chemical that increases the production of dopamine by the kidneys.

The purpose of these studies is to characterize the diuretic effects of dietary catecholamine sources in healthy individuals. Specific aims are:

To determine the effect of dietary dopa sources on plasma and urinary catecholamines.

To investigate the capacity of botanical dopaminergic agents (fava beans) to induce natriuresis in a short term study.

To provide preliminary data on the effects of dietary dopa on heart rate and blood pressure.

In these studies, we will test the null hypothesis (Ho) that urinary sodium excretion will not differ in healthy volunteers after consumption of a fixed-sodium study diet and the study diet plus fava beans.

Condition or disease

Intervention/treatment

Phase

Healthy Participants

Dietary Supplement: Fava beansOther: Fixed Sodium Diet

Early Phase 1

Detailed Description:

Fava beans are a broad bean, with potential clinical relevance in Parkinson's patients since they contain high levels of the dopamine precursor, dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa).In addition to the central nervous system functions of dopamine that are compromised in Parkinson's disease, renal dopamine has vasodilatory and natriuretic activity. Elevated urinary dopamine, however, does not consistently correlate with increased urinary sodium excretion, and there are conflicting opinions over the conditions under which renal dopamine might regulate sodium balance.The goal of our study was to clarify the natriuretic effect of fava beans, obtained from a source that serves patients with Parkinson's disease. Catechol and sodium data were compared in healthy volunteers using a longitudinal design in which all participants consumed a fixed sodium study diet on day 1 and the fixed sodium diet plus fava beans on day 2. Blood was sampled at 1, 2, 4 and 6 hours after breakfast, and three consecutive 4-hr urine samples were collected.

Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is the most common form of orthostatic intolerance, affecting an estimated 500,000 Americans, principally young women. POTS refers to an excessive increase in heart rate (>30 beats per minute) on standing in the absence of orthostatic hypotension. Previous findings by the Robertson/Garland research group suggest that mechanisms involved in orthostatic and absolute volume regulation contribute to POTS pathophysiology. A follow-up study might compare the influences of diet in patients with POTS and healthy volunteers.

Participants underwent testing while on a methylxanthine-free diet providing 150 mEq sodium and 75 mEq potassium per day. The study involved a longitudinal design where the participants served as their own controls. Subjects consumed the standard fixed sodium diet on study day one. On study day two, participants ate 100 g of puréed fava beans and pods with study diet at breakfast (0800hr) and lunch (1200hr).

Dietary Supplement: Fava beans

Participants will receive 100g of fresh fava beans for breakfast and lunch on one study day and prior to this study day will be restricted to a fixed sodium low monoamine diet

Subjects consumed the standard fixed sodium diet for at least two days prior to study and on study day one during an inpatient stay in the Vanderbilt Clinical Research Center. On study day two, participants ate 100 g of puréed fava beans and pods with study diet at breakfast (0800hr) and lunch (1200hr). Blood was sampled for catechol assays before and at 1, 2, 4 and 6 hours after breakfast. Plasma dopa 1 hour after breakfast was specified as a primary outcome. Other catechols (dihydroxyphenylglycol, norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid) and other time points (2, 3, 4, 6hr after breakfast) are non-primary outcomes.

Subjects consumed the standard fixed sodium diet for at least two days prior to study and on study day one during an inpatient stay in the Vanderbilt Clinical Research Center. On study day two, participants ate 100 g of puréed fava beans and pods with study diet at breakfast (0800hr) and lunch (1200hr). Blood was sampled for catechol assays before and at 1, 2, 4 and 6 hours after breakfast. Plasma dopa 1 hour after breakfast was specified as a primary outcome. Other catechols (dihydroxyphenylglycol, norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid) and other time points (2, 3, 4, 6hr after breakfast) are non-primary outcomes.

Subjects consumed the standard fixed sodium diet for at least two days prior to study and on study day one during an inpatient stay in the Vanderbilt Clinical Research Center. On study day two, participants ate 100 g of puréed fava beans and pods with study diet at breakfast (0800hr) and lunch (1200hr). Blood was sampled for catechol assays before and at 1, 2, 4 and 6 hours after breakfast. Plasma dopa 1 hour after breakfast was specified as a primary outcome. Other catechols (dihydroxyphenylglycol, norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid) and other time points (2, 3, 4, 6hr after breakfast) are non-primary outcomes.

Subjects consumed the standard fixed sodium diet for at least two days prior to study and on study day one during an inpatient stay in the Vanderbilt Clinical Research Center. On study day two, participants ate 100 g of puréed fava beans and pods with study diet at breakfast (0800hr) and lunch (1200hr). Blood was sampled for catechol assays before and at 1, 2, 4 and 6 hours after breakfast. Plasma dopa 1 hour after breakfast was specified as a primary outcome. Other catechols (dihydroxyphenylglycol, norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid) and other time points (2, 3, 4, 6hr after breakfast) are non-primary outcomes.

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Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 60 Years (Adult)

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Non-smoking

Free of medications with the potential to influence BP

Age between 18-60 years

Male and female subjects are eligible

Able and willing to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

Significant cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic, or hematological disease by history or screening results